"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future," Jeremiah 29:11 (Bible).
I believe these promises of God concerning me. Who am I? I'm an imperfect vessel who has found grace in God's sight. I like to help and encourage others. I am learning to put faith and love into action. Welcome to my blog. Let's learn together!

Monday, November 28, 2016

I dragged myself to church on Sunday [...tired of the status quo] and one of the key things that I took away is that prayer is also listening to instructions. Sometimes when I go before God, I go with a long shopping list of the things I want Him to do for me. I run through the list, say or whisper a big amen and hurry off to the next activity. But when two Pastors on Sunday [on two different occasions for that matter] kept repeating that we should learn to go before God with the intention of "praying by listening," I felt that they were both talking to me.

Example - Luke 5:1-8 - When Peter was hustling at work, and it looked like all was not working, Jesus gave him a simple instruction, but he didn't listen...at least that is what I see in the text...Jesus said: "Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." What did Simon do? First he "complained" and then said, "...nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net". Jesus instructed him to take nets, but he took a net and when his miracle came in, his net could barely hold it.... I left Church feeling somehow because like Peter, I think I've many times allowed my mind muddle with God's instructions or my feet to move faster than God's instructions.

Examples of those who listened:

Joshua, when he was instructed to gather the children of Israel and march round the wall of Jericho...and shout after a certain number...anyone would have thought that was a crazy/weird strategy for winning a battle...but it worked! [Joshua 5 & 6]

David, when he asked God whether to pursue his enemies or not. God told him no. He could have as well pursued them knowing that in the past when he pursued, God gave him victory...but pursuing his enemies was not in God's strategy this time...thank God he asked and listened to instruction! [1 Samuel 30:8, 2 Samuel 5:19, 2 Samuel 5:23]

Daniel, when he sort God's face to interpret the king's dream! If he had hurried out of God's presence, he wouldn't have heard a thing. [Daniel 2]

The apostles when they had to select a new disciple to replace Judas Iscariot! Act 1:23-25

The list goes on and on!

Anyway, I thought to share this quick lesson....as we all fan our personal prayer altar this week, I hope that we'll keep in mind that prayer is listening to instruction[s]...and as we listen, may we all hear God's voice in a language that we'll each understand and obey promptly--even if the instructions don't make sense to our human understanding. And where we might have missed a turn or instructions in the past, may God's mercy help re-direct our "feet" to the right path. AMEN!

Thursday, November 24, 2016

The other day at Newark Airport, a young man walked up to me and started this interesting conversation about being born again and asked about my faith. Yes, in America, that same country where faith is a private matter.

To cut the long story short, by the time I was done with my dinner, the young man summed up the conversation with the charge to stop hiding my power. *sigh

Saturday, November 12, 2016

"Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord."

Psalm 144:11-15.

These past months, I heard about so many religious views and saw many unChristlike actions that for weeks made me stay away from "church", church people and agents who propagate these strange doctrines to confuse believers and followers of Jesus Christ. But the experience has even challenged me to keep my eyes on studying God's word for answers instead of trying to rationalise the things of the spirit with human understanding.

There are so many doctrines and strange messages! There are many youtube links that would almost drive you crazy if you are not careful and turn you away from the gospel! Everyone of them believe that their way of "religion" is the correct way. One even said "God" is not the real name of God. And that each time we call that name we are worshipping the devil or something of that nature.

Someone [who called me a pagan by his religious standard :-) ] used to send me hebrew names of God and all that Jewish teachings [is that legalism?] and tried to convince me to learn them... long story. I told him I will call God almighty the creator of heaven and earth by the names already revealed in the Bible-- the Holy book! But he brought on this long argument about the pope and all this and all that. Long story!

Dearly beloved, I ask that we keep praying for one another and ask for God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, to reveal Himself to us like He did to the prophets of old who called Him a name to express their encounter...!

But God almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, has also revealed Himself to us through His son, Jesus Christ - Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, the lion of the tribe of Judah! We must not allow strange doctrines pull us away from His light and truth!

😳When there's no foundation.Many people are dying a slow death because their hope lies in the traditions of the church only, and not in JESUS! Have a relationship w/ Him, not a building. Make sure wherever you assemble, that the foundation is Jesus!

Having a personal relationship with God and living according to His WORD is what will help us stay rooted in His truth! May the Holy Spirit continue to help us walk right and discern strange doctrines that may want to put a wedge between us and the love that God Almighty has bestowed on us.

....But at the end of the day, will we be asked what denomination we belonged to or what religion we practiced...? It is our faith in Jesus Christ, our impact and expression of His love towards others and our obedience, among other things that counts.

My prayer for every young believer and christian who might be struggling [including myself!]:

"Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."

1 Corinthians 9:26-27King James Version (KJV)

"I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

What She Told God...And His Response

"She told God she wanted to fly. To escape every limitation placed on her from birth. To soar to places unimagineable to her ancestors. To reach for the stars and land on her dreams. She told God she wanted to create. To build legacy and transform everything she touched. To inspire generations to come and to nurture the visions of prophets yet to be born. To generate change with her mere words. She told God she wanted to love and trust unconditionally. To be the answer to every prayer he had ever prayed and the manifestation of every fantasy he had convinced himself would never come to pass. To be the breath of fresh air he had never sat still long enough to take in. And God told her that eyes had not seen nor ears heard what was to come for her."

Popular Posts

In Days To Come: a collection of poem

Published 2004

The Review of "In Days To Come"

Jennifer is a remarkable young lady. Living in a country that she truly loves, yet recognizing the many problems as well. From her young mind she reaches out through her poetry hoping that her messages will reach out to educate, but even more so, to offer hope.

Jennifer does not write in rhyming verse or strict form, preferring the freedom to express her innermost thoughts without restriction. Yet poetry it undoubtedly is.

Many have struggled to define poetry, in the same way that many struggle to define art. Poetry paints with words and expressions and as such can be both art and craft.

I believe that if Jennifer’s words move you, then she has expressed both her art and her craft.

Finally, we have tried to avoid making changes to her writing, except perhaps for a few proof reading corrections. We hope by this you will capture not only the words, but (also) the essence of Jennifer’s culture that shines through her poetry.

Philip G. Bell

Editor,

Young Poet Society.

The job of the poet Is to leave stains of the storms Yet echo laughter of the light That is seen from the soul. . . . The job of the poet Is to . . .capture And to spirit and to script The pulse of life.﻿ From “Duties as Designed” in Reflections of a Peacemaker: A Portrait Through Heartsongs, page 5. The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs

Followers

Psalm 119:9-12

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.

I surrender

show me a waya channel, a routethrough which I could reachout to this hurting worldand wipe out that tears rolling down her cheeks

I know, I knowI must tread only on that path I know wellelse I cramp my style with stinking gibberish

My wallet is flat tonightplease don't count on thatStill this urge to belongan undiluted desire to serveyearns so loudly I can hold back no more

I surrenderin total submission my heart cryHere I am, use me lover of my soulto be a helping hand in my societyto learn to give without asking for a refundto able to influence others into aiming for the bestnever to try playing god over my peersto you my king I obediently surrender.

Feedjit

Isaiah 60:1-3 (Amplified Bible)

1ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you.

3And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

He Promised...

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

About Me

Jennifer is a tech savvy Journalist, a vivacious volunteer and an avid blogger who is keen about using the new media as a tool to disseminate information, collaborate and stir up progressive interaction. She is described as one of the next generation of communicators by Georgetown University’s GAIN's Center for Social Impact Communication (CSIC). Jennifer currently serves as a freelance senior reporter and media trainer.
Between 2009 and 2010, she served in Washington D.C as an Atlas Corps Fellow. She was also recently granted the International Reporting Project (IRP) 2013 New Media Fellowship to report on global health and development in Nigeria.
In November 2010, she was awarded the LEAP Africa Nigerian Youth Leadership Award for her work as an outstanding Nigerian youth leader.
A graduate of Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Jennifer believes God created Youth for a purpose and thus should not be wasted in frivolity. Her published books include, “In Days To Come” (2004), "Preserving My Saltiness" (2011) and "Half a Loaf & a Bakery" (2013).
Favourite quote: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.